Long, long ago in ancient China 🎵, there lived a girl named Mulan. She lived in a small village at the foot of the mountains with her father, mother, and little sister. Their home was surrounded by a beautiful garden full of magnolia flowers, and Mulan loved spending time admiring their delicate petals.

One sunny day, an imperial messenger arrived 🎵 in the village with important news.

“Attention! Attention!” he called, striking a gong 🎵. “The Emperor needs warriors! Our country is in danger. Each family must send one man to the army!”

Mulan’s father, Mr. Hua, stepped forward. He was an old soldier who had served the emperor many years ago, but over the years his health had deteriorated. He could barely walk with a cane, and his hands trembled from exhaustion.

“I volunteer,” he said in a weak but proud voice.

Mulan felt her heart sink 🎵. She knew her father would not survive the hardships of a military campaign.

“Father, please…” she began, but Mr. Hua shook his head.

“It is my duty, daughter. Our family has always served with honor.”

That night, Mulan couldn’t sleep. She lay in bed, listening to her father trying to train in the yard, but having to rest 🎵 every few moments. A bold plan was forming in her mind.

When everyone was asleep, Mulan quietly got up. She took scissors and stood in front of the mirror.

“For you, father,” she whispered and began cutting her long, black hair.

Then she went into her father’s room and took his armor and sword. She put on men’s clothing and looked at her reflection. She looked like a young boy.

Before leaving, she wrote a letter: “Dear family, do not be angry. I do this out of love. I will return to you. Your Mulan.”

In the moonlight, she mounted her horse 🎵 and galloped toward the military camp.

At the military camp, Mulan introduced herself as “Ping,” son of Hua.

“Welcome, Ping!” called Commander Li Shang. “I see you are young. Are you ready for hard training?”

“Yes, Commander!” Mulan replied in the lowest voice she could manage.

At first, it was very difficult. The other soldiers were stronger and faster. During weight exercises, Mulan could barely lift her equipment.

“Hey, Ping! Need some help?” some soldiers laughed.

Mulan became friends with three soldiers: Yao, who was the strongest, Ling, who always joked, and Chien-Po, who was huge but very gentle.

“Don’t give up, Ping,” Chien-Po said one day when Mulan was exhausted. “We all had to start somewhere.”

Mulan didn’t give up. She trained harder than anyone else. She woke up before dawn and practiced when others were still sleeping 🎵. Instead of fighting with strength, she learned strategy and clever moves. She observed birds in flight 🎵, water flowing in streams 🎵, and wind moving through leaves 🎵. Nature taught her balance and agility.

Gradually, she became better. Commander Li Shang noticed her progress.

“Ping, I see you have a special gift for strategy,” he said one day. “You think differently than the other soldiers. That’s a valuable skill.”

Mulan smiled with pride.

After several weeks of training, the army moved into the mountains 🎵. They marched through narrow passes, with steep, snow-covered peaks rising on both sides.

One frosty morning, a scout ran into the camp.

“Commander Li Shang!” he shouted, out of breath. “Enemy forces are approaching through the main pass! There are more of them than we thought!”

All the soldiers felt uneasy. Mulan looked at the mountains covered with a thick layer of snow.